The Opposition View: Exeter City

Last updated : 28 September 2015 By Jim Bonner

What's your assessment on Exeter's season so far?

Solid, if unspectacular. We've had a couple of very good performances, notably beating the previously unbeaten Leyton Orient 4-0 at home. Unfortunately, this has been coupled with a few poor away performances at Northampton, Wimbledon and Accrington. Keeping up our current average of just under 1.5 points a game won't get us to finish where we want to at the season's end, however, it is a marked improvement to how we started last season. I'm content but I expect us to improve as the season progresses.

Who are the key players in this current Grecians side?

Certainly in the opening stages of this season our best player has been David Wheeler. At his best when on the right wing but can also do a job up front, he has all the physical attributes you could want in a player. He's extremely fast, deceptively strong and has the best leap I think I've ever seen from a footballer. He's certainly our danger man.

Other than him, last season's player of the season, Christian Ribeiro is a high energy right back who bombs up and down the pitch all match. Lee Holmes provides trickery and flair on the left, while when on form and fully fit, in the centre of the pitch, David Noble and Ryan Harley are amongst the best technical players in the division.

What are the main strengths and weaknesses of your team?

Our main strength is definitely our pace on the counter attack. We are blessed in the attacking department with David Wheeler, Lee Holmes, Joel Grant, Tom Nichols & Alex Nichols all being able to cause teams damage on the break with their speed. The passing range of our usual midfield 3 is fantastic so our forward line can often be found and when everything clicks together, we are a very dangerous side.

Despite our midfield three being a strength to how we like to player, it's also a weakness when it comes to dealing with the opposition. As previously mentioned, Ryan Harley, David Noble and Matt Oakley are all very good players with the ball, however, for me, there isn't enough athleticism or bite in the midfield when they all play together and I would like to see only two of three feature from the start with a more dynamic player (like Manny Oyeleke) in there with them.

Lee Holmes had an unsuccessful loan spell with Pompey last season. What do Exeter fans think of him?

As I've already stated, I rate Lee Holmes highly and he is generally very well thought of by City fans. He's featured on the left and 'in the hole' for us during his dozen or so matches and he rarely disappoints. He can sometimes float in and out of the game but he provides us with a really tricky option which the opposition find hard to deal with. On the whole, Holmes has been a really good acquisition. My only real grumble with him is that for me, he doesn't score enough.

What do you make of the current Portsmouth squad?

Obviously, it's an incredibly strong squad, not only for this league but a lot of the players currently on your books have and probably would do well in the league above. I think the signings such as Gary Roberts, Kyle Bennett & Christian Burgess show the real intent from Portsmouth to get promoted this season and personally, I will be very surprised if you don't succeed.

What kind of match can we expect at Fratton Park tomorrow and would you take a draw if offered to you now?

I am certainly expecting a good game with a number of good players on show. What you'll get from us is a side that likes to pass it about and not sit back. We definitely won't be going there for the point and we won't be trying to park the bus. We'll most likely try and draw you out before using our speed to get in behind. We have done really well against the top sides in the league over the past year so I wouldn't put it past us springing a surprise here.

Predict the outcome of the game.

We play better against the good sides and Portsmouth are certainly a good side. However, our last couple of results haven't gone our way and we'll need to improve to get something at Fratton Park. I'll go for Portsmouth to edge it 2-1.